Barnsley FC have announced the acquisition of promising 19 year old winger Charlie Lennon from Middlesbrough on a three and a half year deal, with a further year option in favour of the club. This is the Reds second signing of what has already been a busy January window, adding necessary depth after a recent […]
Barnsley FC have announced the acquisition of promising 19 year old winger Charlie Lennon from Middlesbrough on a three and a half year deal, with a further year option in favour of the club.
This is the Reds second signing of what has already been a busy January window, adding necessary depth after a recent call for “an aggressive recruitment drive” by head coach Connor Hourihane.
Recent departures including Neil Farrugia to Dundee and Caylan Vickers return to Brighton has left Barnsley without a natural right winger. Though young, Lennon will provide depth in a position pivotal to an attack already brimming with talent.
But how can the former Middlesbrough academy starlet contribute to a side looking to rekindle their hopes of a playoff push in the latter half of the season?
Know for his aggressive and direct attacking style, Lennon seems comfortable with the ball at his feet. His explosiveness and smaller stature allow him to change direction at speed leaving defenders on the back foot.
This ability to progress the ball quickly through the thirds will aid a Barnsley attack that can be guilty of being one dimensional and stagnant at times.
Having one on one isolation threats on either side of star striker Davis Keillor Dunn will spread defences, potentially opening more gaps for secondary runs from midfield.
It will also draw defenders away from Reyes Cleary, whose talent has often drawn double and even triple ups in attempts to nullify his impact on games.
As touched on previously, recent departures have left Barnsley without a real right winger. Hourihane has often looked to plug this hole in his teams by shuffling midfielders out wide, experimenting with both Adam Phillips and Vimal Yonganathan in this position.
Though talented, this doesn’t get the best out of either player and often leaves other areas of the pitch short handed.
Having an out and out right winger not only provides a sense of natural comfort on that side of the pitch, but also means Barnsley can use other players in their preferred positions.
Phillips, who recently achieved his boyhood dream of scoring at Anfield could benefit massively from this as he looks to add to his scoring start to 2026.
The signing of Lennon represents a transfer model that has already provided Barnsley with two of their brightest prospects in recent history.
Fans will rightly question the signing of a seemingly unexperienced teenager for the first team, as they did with both Reyes Cleary and Patrick Kelly. This gamble has payed off twice already, with both players playing prominent roles in Barnsley’s season already.
Cleary has garnered nationwide plaudits for his performance at Anfield, with the Barnsley board already rejecting four bids for the former West Brom academy star.
Charlie Lennon has the potential to become the third player signed from other English academies to have a huge impact on the Barnsley squad.
He is arriving at Oakwell with half a season of consistent senior football at Darlington under his belt, in which he contributed to three goals for the National League North side.
Match fit and eager to provide for a side looking to push into the playoffs, Lennon will hope his natural ability as a ball carrier will translate to the EFL within a Barnsley side that often times has struggled to break down low blocks.
On the whole, the signing of Charlie Lennon represents an exciting prospect that fills a hole in Barnsley’s current squad. I have no doubt that the Reds will be looking for further outfield reinforcements before the end of the window, but for now the seemingly limitless upside to this signing should excite the Barnsley faithful.
What do you think of the Red’s second January signing, let us know in the comments below!
